VERONA, NJ - For Fire Prevention Week, the Verona Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Pancake Breakfast along with activities designed to educate the public on fire safety.

DATESunday, Oct. 11

TIME7am to 12pm

ADDRESSFirehouse Co. 2209 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona

COST​$6 - Per person$5 - SeniorsFree - Children under 6

BREAKFAST

Pancakes

Sausage

Orange Juice, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Coffee

ACTIVITIESStop, Drop and Roll demonstrationsExit Drills In The Home (EDITH)When to call the Fire Dept.Dialing 9-1-1Handouts will be available including coloring booksFirefighter attire (PPE) will be demonstrated

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ - This weekend, the NorthCaldwell Fire Department is inviting the West Essex community to celebrate the recent arrival of two new members of their rescue fleet - the 2015 Pierce Rescue / Pumper "Engine No. 4" - and their new Initial Attack Vehicle. The department is hosting a "Dual Wetdown" on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 2pm to 10pm. The free event will be held at their firehouse, located at 134 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell, and all are welcome.

FOOD/ DRINK COSTTickets are not required for the occasion; for those interested, food and beverages will be available for purchase. In addition, there will be entertainment from a DJ.

Bottled Water: $1

Food with Birch Beer: $5

Food with Mug and (Over 21 only) Beer: $10

Food with Mug, Beer, T-Shirt: $20

Credit: North Caldwell Fire Department

A wetdown is a ritual celebrated by many rescue departments during which a new vehicle is put into commission by anointing it with water sprayed by another rescue apparatus. At Saturday's wetdown, the traditional hose fights are expected to take place as neighboring fire departments arrive to anoint the new engine. All guests will be able to get a closer look inside the vehicle as well.

Additional, the department will be awarding prizes to the fire department which does the following:

CALDWELL / ESSEX FELLS, NJ - The Essex County SummerConcert Series continues this week with a performance by "The Symphonics.” Food catered by Tierney's Copperhouse and Gelato's will be available for purchase at 6:30pm and the "Serenade Under the Stars" will begin at 7pm. All are welcome at the free event which takes place Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Grover Cleveland Park which is located at Brookside Avenue in Caldwell.

The Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy was formed in 2001 with the goal to assist the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs maintain, restore and enhance this beautiful park nestled on the border of Essex Fells and Caldwell. The Conservancy serves as the park’s advocate; members stroll through the park daily keeping the Park System apprised of maintenance and safety needs. The Conservancy fundraises to augment the county’s budget so that needed improvements can be made in a timely fashion.

"Rachel Allyn Band" "Rachel Allyn's original music, exceptional vocals, stage presence, style, and warm personality have captured audiences in the top venues, casinos, and theaters across the northeast. Audiences hear country crossover hits from Miranda Lambert and the Band Perry, folk rock from the Lumineers and American Idol’s Phillip Phillips, and the classic rock standards like Tom Petty and John Mellancamp. "

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The West CaldwellSummer Gazebo Concert Series continues this week with a Neil Diamond tribute performance by “Simply Diamond.” Food catered by Forte’s Restaurante will be available for purchase at 6:30pm and the music begins at 7:30pm. All are welcome at the free event which takes place Thursday, July 16, at Crane Park, located at 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell.

“Simply Diamond"Neil Diamond impersonator and his tribute band have toured across the United States and have visited other countries.

CALDWELL, NJ - This weekend, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association will host their 25th Annual July 4 Ice Cream Social. All are welcome at the gathering which will include many family activities and entertainers, along with a patriotic salute to Independence Day. Refreshments including ice cream and popcorn will be offered to guests and the Cloverleaf Tavern will also be offering meals for sale. This year, the Association is hosting a judged Short Bread bake-off which will be awarded wth prizes.

The free event will take place Rain or Shine on Saturday, July 4, from 1pm to 3pm at the historic Presidential Birthplace which is located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell.

Ice Cream Social Activities

Patent medicine show

Phydeau's fleas circus

Marco the Magician

Balloons

Street theater

Presidential house tour

Cleveland-era dress-up costumes, games and races

DJ Anthony Uccello from Caldwell

Beekeeper demonstration

Sponsors and Community Volunteers

Caldwell Kiwanis

Caldwell Rotary Club

Fairfield Rotary Club

West Essex Masons

Boy Scouts

Caldwell Merchants Association

ShortBread Bake-OffThis year, the Association is hosting a judged Short Bread bake-off which will be awarded wth prizes at 3pm. Adults and children are welcome to try their hand at creating the cookie using only 19th-century ingredients. The rules are as follows:

Entries must be received at the Birthplace on Saturday, between 10am and 12pm

All recipes must be made from scratch; no mixes are permitted

Only one entry per person

By entering this contest, bakers give permission to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association to use the recipe for distribution and, if not under copyright, publication

There is no entry fee

Entries must include 2 dozen cookies: one for judging and one for sale

Entries must be placed on plate with a disposable cover

Entries must include an entry form and a copy of the recipe, typed or written legibly

No entries that require refrigeration will be accepted

Judging based upon Taste (70%), Appearance (10%), Texture (10%) and Use of Traditional Ingredients (10%)

Decision of Judges will be final

Entries must be a Shortbread Cookie and can be a shaped, rolled, dropped or bar cookie

Loss of 10 points for use of modern ingredients such as Baking Powder, vegetable shortening or margarine

Those interested in registering should call: 973-226-0001 / 973-226-1733

Patriotic PresentationThe flag ceremony will begin at 1pm and will include the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and the flag raising will be performed by the scout honor guard. Caldwell’s Mayor Ann Dassing will give the welcoming remarks.

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The West CaldwellSummer Gazebo Concert Series kicks off this week with a performance by "The Cameos." Food catered by Russillos will be available for purchase at 6:30pm and the music begins at 7:30pm. All are welcome at the free event which takes place Thursday, July 2, at Crane Park, located at 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell.

The CameosThe talented oldies group creates and performs their own unique renditions of the most popular songs of the 50s,60s, and 70s.

Friday, June 26

Essex County - Branch Brook Park ~ The Great Lawn226 Heller ParkwayNew Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Display Activities: The Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Gemma New, will play classical dances from Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Brahms in the first half. Then for a lively second the NJSO will play Swing, Latin, and Pop tunes

Rain Date: In case of rain, the concert will be relocated to an indoor location and the fireworks will be rescheduled at a later date.

Tuesday, June 30

Essex County - Weequahic Park Meeker AvenueShadows of the ‘60s and Fireworks DisplayActivities: Shadows of the ‘60s pays tribute to the tremendous legacy of The Four Tops, The Temptations and the Supremes.

Day Activities 9am to 3pm: Auto Show at High School Parking Lot10am: Patriotic Ceremony and Kiwanis Carnival at Haines PoolBaseball Game at Memorial Park Field10am to 2pm: CBS FM at the Oval11am to 2pm: Livingston Police Child ID ~ High School Cafeteria 11am to 2:30pm: Lion's Club Vision Screenings ~ High School Cafeteria 11am to 3pm: Indoor Mini Golf ~ High School Cafeteria12pm to 3pm: Free Pony Rides at the Oval 12:30pm to 2:30pm: Powerhouse Studio Games ~ High School Cafeteria 2pm: Declaration of Independence at Gazebo 2:30pm to 3:30pm: Ice Cream, Watermelon Eating Contests ~ Cafeteria

Afternoon and Evening Activities ~ Oval3pm to 9pm: Fabulous Food Fest 3:30pm to 7:30pm Bands and Beer Cafe 7:45pm: Main Stage Band Followed by Fireworks

CEDAR GROVE, NJ - This week the Cedar Grove Free Public Library is hosting Dietitian Heather Shasa who will be presenting a free interactive and informative class about barbecuing. Shasa will teach participants how to build a better burger, choose condiments and discover the benefits of buying in season. She will also have some sample foods available as well. The gathering takes place on Monday, June 22, at 6pm, and all are welcome. The library is located at 1 Municipal Plaza, Cedar Grove.